Card from the Queen and a visit from a Dame for Whangarei centenarian Bill Peters

Dame Valerie Adams posted this photo on Instagram of her and Bill Peters with his card from the Queen. Photo/Supplied

There was a card from the Queen and a visit from a Dame for Bill Peters on his 100th birthday.

Dame Valerie Adams was among the 73 guests at Mr Peters' party at Barge Park in Whangarei on Saturday.

Adams' long-time friend and bridesmaid Erica Farrelly is the granddaughter of Bill's neighbour and close friend Florence Hargreaves.

Centenarian Mr Peters and 92-year-old Mrs Hargreaves spend their days together, including dinner times.

Mrs Hargreaves said it all started when Adams told Ms Farrelly she wanted to meet "grandma".

"I seem to have an additional member of my family," Mrs Hargreaves said.

Last year, Adams stopped by at the Kamo Home and Village to meet Mrs Hargreaves.

"She's going on about me being 92, so I brought her in here [Mr Peters' house]. She was just over the moon to meet Bill."

Bill said during their meeting his 100th birthday celebration came up in conversation.

"It was mentioned I was having a party this winter and she said 'I want to come to that'," he said.

Mr Peters said he had been following Adams' shot putting exploits on the TV for "quite some time".

"She's a lovely lady, she really is. I've been proud of the fact ever since I met her that I can call her a friend."

Mrs Hargreaves said Adams was "just so thrilled to be able to get up here".

"Everyone sees her on TV but to actually have her here, it gives you more of a personal feeling," Mr Peters said.

The shot put star made three posts on her Instagram about Mr Peters.

One is a collage featuring Mr Peters, Mrs Hargreaves, Ms Farrelly and herself with the caption: "Happy 100th Bill thank you for the invite, we love and appreciate all you have done for our country your a legend #100thbday #celebrations #veteran #whangarei [sic]."

Mr Peters said his party was very good. Friends and family from as far away as Australia came to Whangarei for the big event. He said he couldn't recall the last time his four children were all together.

He said the secret to a long life was a whisky every afternoon. His whisky stocks are now plentiful after guests brought him a few bottles as birthday presents.